Bid to block Mujuru

Hawks in Zanu-PF yesterday pushed for party leader President Robert Mugabe to suspend results of the disputed youth league conference elections which saw a faction led by vice President Joice Mujuru thumping her rival, Justice minister Emerson Mnangagwa's group.

Sources told the Daily News late yesterday that the Mnangagwa camp is pushing for the party's sole leader since 1977 to suspend the poll results with the endorsement of the politburo.

Mugabe yesterday summoned ministers, top Zanu-PF officials and youth league officials as well as those suspected of belonging to the two factions to present their cases for and against reports that the youth polls were rigged.

Informed sources told the Daily News yesterday that Mugabe was presented with evidence by the Mnangagwa camp which they claim proves that senior party officials used money to influence the outcome of the bitterly divisive youth elections. But the Mujuru camp reportedly also came up with their own dossier to counter the Mnangagwa faction's claims.

Sources told the Daily News that after more than eight hours of fierce deliberations, accusations and counter accusations Mugabe resolved that the politburo would come up with a position.

"It was a tense meeting at which top Zanu-PF officials engaged in a fierce war of words. President Mugabe wanted all facts on the table and those who were lying about Amai Mujuru having used underhand tactics were exposed as liars.

"The "Ngwena" (Mnangagwa) group wanted youth elections reversed but they failed. They were disappointed but we have to move on," said a highly-placed source.

Mugabe yesterday did not make any reference to the youth elections, in his speech while officially closing the women's conference.